It should have been a great advertisement for Panchgani as a tourist destination, but instead Aamir Khan 's decision to host his wedding reception in the tiny hill station has spelt loss of business for local tourism industry.
"Every year Panchgani overflows with tourists during Christmas and New Year, but this time regulars who drive down from Mumbai and Pune are heading elsewhere after the media hype about Aamir hosting his marriage reception here, since they believe that every hotel room would be booked well in advance.
"On the contrary, rooms are available and we have had to suffer loss because of Aamir's wedding," said Vishal Ranjane, who owns a tour and travel company.
Hotels have seen a 25 per cent drop in occupancy compared to the last year's New Year "season" thanks to the media attention given to Aamir's celebration.
"This year hotel room occupancy is only 75 per cent, mainly because people have presumed that there will be no rooms available due to the marriage. As a result smaller hotels have suffered," said Shiva, manager of the Pan Hill lodge.
Aamir has booked three hotels for his more than 200 guests, but everything including the entertainment, catering and security have been brought in from Mumbai.
"He has brought even his own drinking water from Mumbai. Panchgani has not benefited in terms of business from his marriage at all," said another hotel owner.
While hotels have just 75 per cent occupancy, bus services in and out of Panchgani have also suffered, forcing operators to run lesser capacity buses.
Locals say they feel left out of such a major celebrity event. "We have seen a lot of film shootings here and a lot of celebrities but we have never seen so much secrecy," said a taxi driver.
Anupamaa
Health and Fitness
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